AMD FX-8350 showing 6 cores instead of 8

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

MaLLiSH525

Reputable
Apr 11, 2015
45
0
4,530
Hello.

So, I just got a new cpu and gpu, fx-8350 and msi gtx 960 (64-bit win10)

Everything has worked fine so far, but I noticed something weird.
When I went to see CPU-Z, I saw that it says my cpu has 6 cores and 6 threads. (http://valid.x86.fr/sh2ges)
This should be a 8 core processor right?

Then I went to task manager and checked what it says about my cpu.
There it says that I have 3 cores, and 6 logical cores.

The thing is, my old CPU was AMD FX-6100, which is a 6 core processor.
So right now it feels like im seeing my old CPU's information.

Am i really running on 6 cores now, and is there a way to fix this?


 
Solution
B
Windows seeing 6-cores is not a bug or a VRM protection method. The CPU that your Windows installation had installed was a 6-core CPU, therefore that's what Windows was running with. Windows doesn't automatically detect CPU changes and install new CPU drivers. Changing the turbo feature may have forced Windows to redetect the CPU, but I've no experience with that so can only guess that's what caused the redetection. If you want to force Windows to redetect the CPU, Windows will install and detect new CPU drivers when there are no entries in the Processors section in Device Manager. Not sure why this isn't being mentioned by anybody else here.

It's not something new, and there are other questions here on Tom's that have had the...
Sort by date Sort by votes
Dark Lord of Tech

Dark Lord of Tech

Retired Moderator
Aug 18, 2009
128,614
1,778
159,590
Gigabyte 970A-DS3

You will need a new board to run it. :(

The 8350 isn't listed as being supported by that board.

http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=4385
Sorry. :(

AMD Opteron 3260 2700MHz 1MBx4 4MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 45W 5200 FB
AMD Opteron 3250 2500MHz 1MBx4 4MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 45W 5200 FB
AMD FX-8370E 3300MHz 1MBx8 8MB Vishera 32nm C0 95W 5200 FEg
AMD FX-8320E 3200MHz 1MBx8 8MB Vishera 32nm C0 95W 5200 FEg
AMD FX-8310 3400MHz 1MBx8 8MB Vishera 32nm C0 95W 5200 FEg
AMD FX-8300 3300MHz 1MBx8 8MB Vishera 32nm C0 95W 5200 FD
AMD FX-8140 3200MHz 1MBx8 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FD
AMD FX-8120 3100MHz 1MBx8 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FD
AMD FX-8100 2800MHz 1MBx8 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-6350 3900MHz 1MBx6 8MB Vishera 32nm C0 125W 5200 FD
AMD FX-6300 3500MHz 1MBx6 8MB Vishera 32nm C0 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-6200 3800MHz 1MBx6 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 125W 5200 FB
AMD FX-6120 3500MHz 1MBx6 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-6100 3300MHz 1MBx6 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-4350 4200MHz 1MBx4 8MB Vishera 32nm C0 125W 5200 FD
AMD FX-4300 3800MHz 1MBx4 4MB Vishera 32nm C0 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-4200 3300MHz 1MBx8 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 125W 5200 FB
AMD FX-4170 4200MHz 1MBx4 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 125W 5200 FB
AMD FX-4150 3900MHz 1MBx4 8MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 95W 5200 FB
AMD FX-4130 3800MHz 1MBx4 4MB Bulldozer 32nm B2 125W 5200 FB
AMD FX-4100
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Shaun o

Shaun o

Illustrious
Oct 7, 2007
6,113
1
41,960
It`s a lot more simple than you think.

In windows 10 click on the search bar.

Type in: Msconfig.

select Msconfig from the search results.

A window will open up.

Click on the boot tab at the top of the window.
Then click on the advanced options tab mid way down the window.
Tick the box where it says number of processors.
And select 8 cores.

Click on ok.
In the next window click on apply then ok.

Restart the machine.

Once windows has loaded go to resource manager
Click on the cpu tab in the window and you will see all eight cores of the cpu shown and being utilized by windows.





 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bigpinkdragon286

Splendid
Oct 3, 2012
4,648
35
28,590
Regardless of everything else, because the OP changed his CPU, he needs to delete the entries in Device Manager. I already know that Windows will not redetect them automatically. If nothing else, he'll get incorrect speed readings in Task Manager if Using 8 or 10. Until he's done this, I wouldn't bother with other fixes, as the CPU still hasn't been correctly installed in Windows, even if the hardware part is finished.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Frankenstein002

Frankenstein002

Honorable
Apr 27, 2014
198
0
10,760
Try resetting motherboard settings. Go to cpu settings in bios and turn on all 8 cores to "always on" from "auto"...
if it still not solved, then try reinstalling drivers...
in windows 64 bit os, it detects fx-8350 as an 4core 8threaded cpu due to amd fx-8350 containing 4 modules and 8 cores. So if ur cpu is showing as fx 8350 8 core cpu then it may b that due to ur mobo is set according to ur old fx-6100 cpu and when u put the 8 core cpu there, it simply saw it as it is the same old 6 core cpu not the new 8 core.
therefore ur task manager and Cpu-z is showing only 6 coz only 6 cores r enabled on mobo bios...
so go to bios find cpu core on/off setting and turn on 7th and 8th core and set all cores to b always on from auto...
gud luck...
dnt 4get 2 select d bst ans...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bigpinkdragon286

Splendid
Oct 3, 2012
4,648
35
28,590
Different revisions of the board do come with VRM heat sinks. For the boards that do not, the mounting holes are still there, and standard, so an aftermarket VRM heat sink could easily be added for far less time, trouble, and money than replacing the whole board.

The board is rated for 125 watt CPUs, whether it's an FX based model or Phenom II is irrelevant. The board isn't biased as to which chip is drawing the load.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
chris987

chris987

Judicious
Jun 10, 2013
4,467
0
33,760
amd released 990FX chipset for the FX cpu support, however vendors in order to extend the life of their products , use bios updates or even reversion of the boards. gigabyte didnt accidentally ommited the specific cpu from the cpu support list. just because AM2 and AM3 cpu share the same socket doesnt mean that all amd chipsets are capable of running them all with no exception. thats why the most common problem in amd builds here in our forum is poor overall performance due to vrm failure or cpu throttling especially in gaming rigs. there are even cases with mobos that vendors claim support but in reality peformance cripples under heavy loads. also as Blackbird mentioned a mobo for proper 8core 125w tdp cpu support is selected for its capable power and thermal design else all would be good candidates! from the GA-970A - xxx line still avaliable , UD3P is the most capable with o/c ability that is usually recommended.

about amd mobos vrm check here , the guys from overclock.net have done a great job.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bigpinkdragon286

Splendid
Oct 3, 2012
4,648
35
28,590
The 990FX chipset was not designed to support the FX chips and the FX suffix is not related to the current FX processors except to denote the placement in AMD's product line-up. FX chipsets are meant to have a high number of PCI-e lanes to support high connectivity.

While I agree that Gigabyte likely did not omit the FX-8350 on accident, it also happens to be a possibility that it was not done so on purpose. At which point are compatibility lists no longer updated?

We're not talking about the difference between an AM2 or AM3 board. The OP's board is an AM3+ board. There doesn't even appear to have ever been an AM3 revision of this particular model.

Already saw the overclock.net page, which rates the board to 140 watts, and goes on to say the board in question does not support 125 watt Vishera core FX CPUs. Gigabyte's CPU support list indicates otherwise, with at least two 125 watt Vishera CPUs listed. I suspect we're beating a dead horse here until the OP gets back to us after looking into some of the recommended solutions.

Back to the matter at hand, since when did VRM suitability have anything to do with the core count available on a CPU? If the suitability of the board were the issue, I would expect a failure to POST, boot into Windows, or CPU throttling. The OP's picture doesn't indicate throttling as his CPU is above the 4 GHz stock frequency.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
chris987

chris987

Judicious
Jun 10, 2013
4,467
0
33,760
yes, this isnt a case of throttling or vrm failure but mobo itself blocks two cores from operating to avoid any issues.

Gigabyte's CPU support list indicates otherwise, with at least two 125 watt Vishera CPUs listed.

since when did VRM suitability have anything to do with the core count available on a CPU?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

since there are also other mobos that the 125w tdp cpu support is limited to 4 or 6 core . here is another example. thats not a coincidence. there are also other examples that currently i cannot recall

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/970%20Extreme3/?cat=CPU

125w support limited to fx 6350 (6core)

edit: http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/970%20Pro3/?cat=CPU

capable of FX 8core limited to 95w but capable of phenom ii x6 125w
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MaLLiSH525

Reputable
Apr 11, 2015
45
0
4,530
Woah this thread has exploded :D

Unfortunately I also found out myself that the mobo doesnt support this cpu, but the thing is, I can still run games very well. Even some CPU intensive games.

So am I fine to use it anyways? As long as I wont overclock it and the temps are fine? I have Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo as the cpu cooler.

Oh, and I did try few of the possible solutions already, only thing left to try is to just set my bios to default settings.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MaLLiSH525

Reputable
Apr 11, 2015
45
0
4,530


Yeah I will definitely do that if its an absolute must.

Checked my BIOS, and all the 8 cores show up in there as it should. I assume that's normal anyways?
Also loaded optimal system defaults.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
mjslakeridge

mjslakeridge

Splendid
Mar 6, 2013
3,386
4
21,965
Essentially you paid for a 8xxx cpu, but with that MB you are getting the performance of a 6xxx series. Did you buy the cpu and MB from a local shop that represented that they were compatible, or did you pick the parts yourself? If the former, print out this thread, and take the MB back and make them exchange it for an upgrade (try to get it at no cost, since you went through all this trouble).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MaLLiSH525

Reputable
Apr 11, 2015
45
0
4,530


No, I just ordered a new cpu, and foolishly assumed that it would fit my mobo since it has a AM3+ socket.

My old cpu was fx-6100, and I can definitely see a huge improvement in performance, even though this aint working properly lol.


While were at it, feel free to suggest some good mid-priced mobos.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom